The Soldier's Return (2)/Loudon's Bonny Woods and Braes

by Robert Tannahill

LOUDON'S BUNNY WOODS AND BRAES.

Loudon's bonnie woods and braes,
I maun lea' them a' lassie;
Wha can thole when Britain's faes
Would gie Britons law, lassie?
Wha would shun the field of danger?
Wha frae fame would live a stranger!
How when freedom bids avenge her,
Wha would shun her ca' lassie?
Loudon's bonnie woods and braes
Hae seen our happy bridal days,
And gentle hope shall sooth thy waes
When I am far awa, lassie.

Hark! the swelling bugle sings,
Yielding joy to thee, laddie;
But the dolefu' bugle brings,
Waefu' thoughts to me, laddie.
Lanely I may climb the mountain,
Lanely stray beside the fountain,
Still the wearie moments counting,
Far frae love, and thee, laddie.
O'er the gory fields of war,
When vengeance drives his crimson car,
Thou'lt may be fa', frae me afar,
And nane to close thy ee, laddie.

O resume thy wonted smile,
O suppress thy tears, lassie,
Glorious honour crowns the toil
That the soldier shares lassie;
Heav'n will shield thy faithful lover,
'Till the vengeful strife is over;
Then we'll meet nae mair to sever,
'Till the day we die, lassie:
'Midst our bonnie woods and braes
We'll spend our peaceful happy days,
As blythe's yon lightsome lamb that plays
On Loudon's flow'ry lea, lassie.